Has anyone ever had their house repossessed and had to move into a council house?

Question

I'm about to lose my home through divorce and loss of job. I have 4 kids and will be classed as homeless. I've been told there is a chjance I may be offered a council house. Can u tell me what to expect and what house is likely to be like?

Answer 1

honey , i know how you are feeling my dad has left my mum pennyless, and we got the same problem . but my dad is dead. and now we are at treat of losing our big& lovely home . so i may have to get used to living in shi,t . it is not fair !

Answer 2

I am so sorry that you are going through a very tough time, but please don't be worried about taking a house from the Council. Mostly, these days, the housing is run by partnership housing companies and they have to keep their properties in good condition and up to European Standards of Health and Safety.
I had to move from a cherished home, through hard times, but have never been happier! You will be able to get help with housing costs and council tax benefits if you have children to support, so dont give up, just look at it as a new life just starting for all of you!
I do wish you well and hope you find a nice home. You will be able to make a choice and not have to take the first house that comes along!

Answer 3

I lost a house cause my job changed and I couldn't afford the mortgage. The county court judge said he would not put my family. wife and 3 kids on the street but gave possession to the mortgage co in a month/ I had a court document I could show the council to prove the imminent homelessness and the council gave us a 3 bed terrace house 2 weeks later .. so we moved / Things improved financially and I was able to buy this council house under the right to buy scheme... Now fully paid for ... With 4 kids you will either get a council house or a housing association one . They cant see 4 kids on the street... You might have to go into a temporary accommodation till a suitable place can be found .

Answer 4

The same thing happened to my parents when an incompetent Tory chancellor caused Black Wednesday. Council houses are normally very well constructed houses provided they were built before the 60s or 70s and normally have a good sized garden. The council house they moved into was far better than the naff, crumbling, ancient terraced house they left. Expect a better life. More money in your pocket and the council is directly responsible for maintaining the building and its heating system, so when your boiler is knackered it won't cripple you fnancially like it does when you buy. People really ought to consider the pros of renting from social landlords/councils/housing associations.

Sadly, there is a dire shortage of council housing due to us clinging onto the silly Thatcherite idea of almost giving them away to anyone with a few quid to spare and not building new stock. Let's hope Gordon Brown shifts Labour back to the left a little and supports council housing and opposes ALMOs and stock transfers.

Answer 5

I've lived in a council house and then a flat for over 35 years and both have been lovely. The flat I am in now was a right mucky place when it was offered to me but I accepted it as it had access for my wheelchair. Anyway when I received the keys my family moved in en masse and totally scrubbed every inch and painted everywhere and it's very nice ow. If the house you get offered needs decorating you could be entitled to a decorating grant from the council. I think a lot will depend on where you live and what your local council is like. Chesterfield Borough Council are excellent in my opinion.

Answer 6

my partner had this happen to her 8 years ago,she knew she had to be re-homed by the council,she was told she and the kids(4 all at school) would probably be put into emergency accom,it could have been a one room bedsit or b&b,at worst,council dont really like to do this as its dead money, fortunately Mac and the kids were re-housed into temporary accomodation,a 3 bed council house,it had to be in full working order,e.g. heating, plumbing,bathroom in good order etc but no carpets it took about 2 weeks from the reposetion to moving in,.the temporary lasted 3 years,if this happens keep pestering your housing officer for permanant accom,for peace of mind and security for you and your children,dont give up hope and dont take no for an answer. Mac and the kids are now in a lovely council house that she has turned into a beautiful home,

Answer 7

I live in a council house. Its a good size, in a not bad area and i have made it just how i want it. You will get a home that is big enough for you and your kids. It is a bit of a hit or a miss to what kind of area you live in, but lets face it, even if you bought a house or rent privately, you could still be in a bad area. I agree with previous comments - a home is what you make AND you dont have to take the first offer they give you.

Answer 8

I t depends on where you live and what area you want to live in. We moved from our own house into council accommodation in 2001, unfortunately we hated it. Towards the end of our stay there, a woman had been set on fire, a bloke broke into a neighbour's house in order to try and kill the occupant and we had our dog poisoned.
That said, there is more choice and competition amongst housing associations now and the housing stock is a lot better, however you cannot account for the people who live next door.
The house we lived in was a three bed roomed semi with a large garden, the house was nice enough, it was just the some of the neighbours were idiots.

Answer 9

I live in a Council House, its a 2 bedroom semi detached Bungalow, with a massive garden, not all Council homes are rubbish. A home is what you make it. Why people look down their noses at Council Houses I don't know, I've lived here since my marriage ended a good many years ago, and I hope the only way I will ever leave here is feet first in a box.

Answer 10

I got kicked out of my house and was classed as homeless. Had to go to the hosing office and you have to go and stay in a hostel/b&b because council houses aren't available straight away usually. Its horrible unless you like living in the next room to alcoholic, druggies and chavs and having to share your bath, shower, toilet and sometimes kitchen with them, I found a syringe in the toilet once. However I live next door to a little old man who was waiting for an over 50s council flat and i felt so sorry for him, however everyone sticks together---there is so many different kinds of people there you'll be suprised! I persuaded my mum to let me back in the house after 6 months. my mate was in there for nearly 2 years before she got a council flat and she was high prioty because she was on jobseekers and under 18 so I have no idea how long you'll be there for but as long as you keep up with your payment you should only be there about a year.

Answer 11

I have not experienced this, and I do not know what a council house is. Where do you live? I want to wish you luck and encourage you to stay strong. You are not alone and with determination you can see that your kids get settled where ever it is you end up. I agree with the other answers who say that you can make any house a home. Just take it one day at a time, you had some serious things happen all at once. Don't be to hard on yourself and make sure that your kids know how much you love them, Good luck to you.